Container



May 30, 1961 H. c. NICHOLLS ETAL 2,986,320

. CONTAINER Filed March 28, 1960 4 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTORS HansenQNICHOLLS BY Ouven HUISHEERE y 30, 1961 H. c. NICHOLLS ETAL 2,986,320

CONTAINER Filed March 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 "I hum mmvrons HERBERTC. NICHOLLS BY 7 Ouvsn Hmsueeaz May 30, 1961 H. c. NICHOLLS ETAL2,986,320

CONTAINER Filed March 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS HERBERTC.NICHOLLS BY OLIVER HUISHEERE A'rTYs,

Ute

2,986,320 CONTAINER Herbert C. Nicholle and Oliver 'Huisheere, WisconsinRapids, Wis., assignors to Consolidated Water Power & Paper Company,Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Mar. 28, 1960,Ser. No. 17,949

Claims. (C1. 222,- 6).

Thisinvention relates to improvements in containers. More particularly,the present invention pertains to a functional container adapted forblast-freezing of poultry and other frozen foods and comprisesessentiallya tray into which the freshly prepared or other productisplaced and the trays adapted to be stacked .with similar trays one abovethe other in a freezing room, after which a conventional type oftelescopic cover is adapted to be placed on the tray and the package isready for shipping.

For this purpose the sides and ends of the tray should be open so as tofacilitate blast-freezing of the product when the trays are stacked oneupon the other, good ventilation from both sides and ends of the traysolving a problem which up to now led to restrictive positioning oftrays on pallets and palletized trays within thefreezer.

In accordance with the present invention, the tray is provided with fourtriangular corner posts, all three sides of the triangular posts beingof full depth, the container being further constructed and arranged ofcorrugated paperboard in a manner whereby the triangular. posts. havevertical corrugations to achieve excellentstacking.

qualities.

Itis a particular object of the present invention to form. a tray of theclass describedof a.unitary. sheet of corrugated paperboard cut andscoredand adapted to be erected to form a wholly self-interlockedcontainer body without the requirement for securing means such as.adhesives, taping, metal stitching or stapling, and without thenecessity for jigs of any kind for settingup, the.

arrangement being characterized .byself-locking ,members which form .arigid and collapseeproof tray when properly. set up.

' A further object of the present inventionis to provide atray havingoutermost smooth surfaces withoutprojiections,-so that a telescopiccomplementarycover. may be easily engaged thereover without catching onprojections to. thereby facilitate packaging and. form. a secure.

assembly.

Other objects and advantagesof the .present invention. rehte to detailsof construction, arrangement ofparts, and the economies thereof, aswillbeapparentfrom the following specification and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the assembly of the present invention,i.e., its characterizing tray enclosed bya conventional telescopiccover; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view-of .the assembly atent ice the endwalls vertically extended to the bottomor central.

panel.

Fig. 7 isa progressiveperspective view similartotha t of Fig. 6showingan outer side wall and its integral postforming componentspartially erected; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are further consecutive views progressing from Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the characterizing tray of thepresentinvention in erected position.

Fig. 11 is asection on the line 1111 of Fig. l. Fig. 12 is a section onthe line 12--12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line13-13 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 12. Fig. 16 is a sectionon the line 16-16 of Fig. 11. Referring to the drawin-gs, particularlyto Fig. 4, the

blank shown, which is suitably composed of corrugated paperboard,comprises a rectangular center or bottom panel 10,'a pair of opposedouter end walls 11, 11 hinged thereto on lines 12, 12, each carrying aninner end wall panel 13 hinged thereto on the dual scored fold line 14,the dual score line being provided so that the panel.13 may-be foldedagainst and to .plane parallel relationship It .will be noted that thepanel 13 with the panel 1 1. While of equal height with the panels 11 isof lesser length and is severed on a vertical line at each end as at 15,leavingrelatively short flaps '16 16 which remain hinged to the outerend wall-panel 11 ona score line 14', these flaps 16-each being providedwith an endcutout as at 17 for a purpose that will hereinafter beexplained.

The panels 13 further comprise at their outermost, 1ongitudinal edgesone or more tongues 18 adapted for receptionin the slots 19 formed inthe panel 10 adjacent its score line 12 and adapted for reception of thetongues 18 when the panels 13 are folded against the panels 11. The

panels 13 and 11' can also be formed with one or more matching hand-holdopenings 20,21 adapted to be aligned in the panels 13, each foldedagainst the panels 11 'to.

facilitate handling of the set-up tray.

Hinged to the opposed sides of panel 10 on the score lines 22 aretheouter sidewall panels 23, 23, each of which carries an inner side wallpanel 24 hinged thereto on the dual fold line 25 whereby the panel 24may be folded against the panel 23 and its tongues 26 engaged in theapertures or slots 27 in a manner similar to that, de-

scribed with respect to theinner end wall panels .13.. Here, also, thepanel 24 is of substantially equal height to the adjacent portion of thepanel 23 but of lesser width, being separated therefrom by lines ofseverance. or slots 28, 28, leaving the end portions 29 of each ofthepanels 23 of agreater height than that of the v-remaining portionofthe panel when the inner panel por-- tion 24 is; folded thereover inset-up condition. V This. panel. portion 29 provides a first panel orcomponent of atriangular corner post when the panel 23 is erectedvertically as shown in Fig. 7, and has a panel 30 extending laterallytherefrom and hinged thereto on the. line 31' forming a second panel ofthe corner post and adapted to overlie an outer end wallpanel as shownin the progressive viewof Fig. 7. This panel 30 is in turnpartiallyhinged won the line 32 and partially severedat the lineofseverance or slot 33 from a third panel 34 which is adapted to extendobliquely across the cornerof the .cartonandbetween the first and secondpanels when the end wall panel 11 is disposed in a slot 33 as shown bythe details of Figs. 7 and 8. i

The third corner facing 34vis further provided with a locking tab v35reversely hingedthereto on the. line '36,. saidtab 35 beingadapted tobedisposed between a side end portion of. inner .side wall panel 24 andouterside wall panel 23 when the tongues of panel 24are engaged in theslots 27, normally completing the interlocked'a's Patented May 30, 1961sembly of the tray. As will be apparent, the inner end wall panels 13are not essential other than for reinforcement and for providing astrong hand-hold. However, the tabs 16 are essentially in erectedposition in that they provide an interlock or abutment within the cornerposts, retaining them in vertical position.

In the ararngement shown and when these are present, the tabs 16 arefirst folded down against the panels 11, the slot 28 being sufiicientlywide to receive the double material as shown in the progressive view ofFig. 7 in setting up the tray, and after the side wall panels 23 havebeen erected vertically. As further shown in the view of Fig. 8, the tab16 is grasped at the finger opening or arouate cut 17 and elevated, sothat it extends in plane parallel relationship to the second corner postpanel 30, after which the third panel 34 can be disposed obliquely withits tab 35 against panel 23 and thereafter panels 24 locked down.

As will appear from Fig. 10, the post panels 30 are integral andcontinuous with the outer side wall panels 23 and the post panels 30smoothly overlie the outer end wall panels 11 without break from top tobottom. Further, the oblique third faces 34 terminate wholly within thetray so that there are no outer projections. As will be furtherapparent, the tray becomes firmly locked in set-up position without theaid of any staples, stitches, tapes, or adhesive means. The cornercomponents of the tray are also formed in a manner whereby thecorrugations extend vertically, and these posts are reinforced by thetabs 16 erected within them so that they may be conveniently stacked onone another upon their posts and upon a device such as the pallet 37 asshown in Fig. 3.

In view of the unencumbered arrangement of the posts and tray sidewalls, it will be apparent that a conventional cover 38 comprising a top39, end walls 40 and side walls 41, may be completely and quickly andconveniently disposed in a close fit over the tray to enclose its postsand sides before shipping.

Although we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatmodifications may be made in the details thereof and in the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:

1. A carton section composed of a unitary sheet of foldable paperboardcut, scored and erected to a wholly self-interlocked container sectioncomprising a bottom, a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed endwalls and corner posts of triangular cross-section at each cornerextending above said walls and each including a first panel integralwith a side Wall, a second panel integral with the first extending at aright-angle thereto, and a third panel integral with the second andextending obliquely between a side and end wall terminating in a tabsecured between aside wall and means integral with the latter, a flapintegral with an end wall projecting thereabove between said first andthird panels and lying against the second panel, said second and thirdpanels being slotted at their jointure and in bifurcated engagementthereat With an end wall.

2. A carton blank composed of a unitary sheet of foldable paperboardcut, scored and adapted to be erected to form a wholly self-interlockedcontainer body with integral corner posts of triangular cross-sectionprojecting above the side walls of the container, comprising arectangular bottom panel, a pair of opposed end wall panels hingedthereto, a pair of opposed outer side wall panels hinged thereto, thelatter each including an inner side Wall panel of equal height butlesser width hinged thereto, said inner side wall panel including tonguemeans projecting from its free longitudinal edge receivable in slotsformed in said bottom panel continguous to the hinge line of outer sidewall panel, and post forming means at each end of said outer side wallpanels comprising a first panel constituting the terminal end portion ofan outer side wall panel severed from an inner side wall panel andextending beyond the fold line thereof, a second panel extendinglaterally from and hinged to the first panel and adapted to lie againstan end portion of an end wall panel when erected, a third panelextending laterally from and partially hinged to and partially severedfrom the second panel and adapted to extend obliquely across a set-upbox corner and at said line of severance to edgewise receive and embracesaid end wall panel between said second and third panels, a tabprojectable from an end wall into said corner above said line ofseverance for vertical post stabilization, and a hinged tab extendinglaterally from said third panel for reception between an outer side wallpanel and an overfolded inner side wall panel.

3. A carton blank composed of a unitary sheet of foldable corrugatedpaperboard cut, scored and adapted to be erected to form a whollyself-interlocked container body with integral corner posts of triangularcross-section projecting above the side walls of the container proper,comprising a rectangular central panel, a pair of opposed outer end wallpanels hinged thereto each including an inner end wall panel of equalheight but lesser width hinged thereto, said inner end wall panelincluding tongue means projecting from its free longitudinal edgereceivable in slots formed in said central panel contiguous to the hingeline of said outer end wall panel, and a pair of opposed outer side wallpanels hinged to said central panel, the latter each including an innerside wall panel of equal height but lesser width hinged thereto, saidinner side wall panel including tongue means projecting from its freelongitudinal edge receivable in slots formed in said central panelcontiguous to the hinge line of outer side wall panel, and post formingmeans at each end of said outer side wall panels comprising a firstpanel constituting the terminal end portion of said side wall panelsevered from an inner side wall panel and extending beyond the fold linethereof, a second panel extending laterally from and hinged to the firstpanel and adapted to lie against an end portion of an outer end wallpanel when erected. a third panel extending laterally from and partiallyhinged to and partially severed from the second panel and adapted toextend obliquely across a set-up box corner and at said line ofseverance to edgewise receive and embrace said outer end wall panelbetween said second and third panels, a tab spaced endwise of said innerend panel hinged to said outer end panel for initial folded relationshipthereto and subsequent projection thereabove within the corner post, anda hinged tab extending laterally from said third panel for receptionbetween an outer side wall panel and an overfolded inner side wallpanel.

4. A carton section composed of a unitary sheet of paperboard cut,scored and folded to a wholly self-interlocked container body withintegral corner posts of triangular cross-section projecting above theside walls of the container, comprising a rectangular bottom panel. apair of opposed end wall panels and a pair of opposed outer side wallpanels hinged thereto, the latter each including an inner side wallpanel of equal height but lesser width hinged thereto, said inner sidewall panel including tongue means projecting from its free longitudinaledge into slots formed in said bottom panel contiguous to the hinge lineof outer side wall panel, and post means at each end of said outer sidewall panels comprising a first panel constituting the terminal endportion of said outer side wall panel severed from an inner side wallpanel and extending beyond the fold line thereof, a second panelextending laterally from and hinged to the first panel and lying againstan end portion of an outer end wall panel. a third panel extendinglaterally from and partially hinged to and partially severed from thesecond panel and extending obliquely across a carton corner and at saidline of severance edgewise receiving said outer end wall panel betweensaid second and third panels, a hinged tab extending laterally from saidthird panel disposed between an outer side wall panel and an overfoldedinner side wall panel, and a hinged tab extending from an end wall intothe corner post above said line of severance providing a vertical poststabilizer.

5. A container section composed of a unitary sheet of foldablecorrugated paperboard cut, scored and folded to a whollyself-interlocked tray adapted to be stacked on and to support similartrays, comprising a bottom, a pair of opposed side walls, a pair ofopposed end walls and corner posts of triangular cross-section at eachcorner extending above said walls and each including a first panelintegral with a side wall, a second panel integral with the firstextending at a right-angle thereto, and a third panel integral with thesecond and extending obliquely between a side and end wall terminatingin a tab secured between a side wall and an inturned flap integral withthe latter, said second and third panels being partially slotted attheir iointure and in bifurcated engagement thereat with an end wall,and a vertical stabilizer flap extending from an end wall into eachcorner post against the second panel and between the first and thirdpanels above said line of severance, said first and second panelspresenting smooth unbroken exterior faces and each extending to thebottom of the tray and adapted to snugly receive thereover anall-enclosing cover section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,350,932 Schaefer June 6, 1944 2,833,459 Greene May 6, 1958 2,844,293Whitney July 22, 1958 Decision in Interferen In Interference No. 92,267involving Patent No. Q,9-86,320,

Container, final judgment adverse to the patentees was H. G. Nicholle,

Notice of Adverse ren- and O. Huisheere,

dered'Mar. 9, 1962, as to clalms 1, 2, 4, and.

[Oficial Gaaette,April17, 1.962.]

